The Drunkard of Camelot

"It is just a trip to Ealdor."

"I still want to see you off."

"It will just be me and Arthur."

"And if you weren't cousins, I would be extremely jealous."

Merlin laughed at her for that. "I have heard the rumours."

"Be careful of the ones you hear. Some may have been Gwen and my own doing." Morgana said.

"How many people think that Arthur and I could be in a relationship?"

"Less now but even then they argue the cousins could be together."

"Well I can assure you that I only have eyes for one very beautiful woman. I love Arthur yes, but only as a brother."

Merlin pulled her closer to plant a kiss into her hair.

"Good, because I do think I could kill either you or Arthur in a jealous rage. Hey maybe on a good day both of you."

He just shook his head and chuckled.

"We have been on the road for most of the day now. Maybe it is best if we stopped." Merlin said. "Do you know anywhere around here?"

Arthur hesitated. "Maybe something over there. I wouldn't really know."

"You were crowned prince. Did you not memorises where all your villages where?"

"That was the boring part of being crowned prince. I wanted to do all the fighting and training to become a knight, not waste my day in the library, memorising something that I was sure that I wouldn't ever need."

Merlin laughed. "Glad I don't need to do it then."

"Come on. I think that there might be a tavern over there."

And there was. Merlin still wasn't sure how it happened but they happened to be in the middle of a bar fight. Arthur was in his prime. He was the one that could throw a punch as easily as he could receive one. Merlin on the other hand ran straight for the bar and jumped behind it. He did use his magic to help Arthur out but other than that he was of little use. It just showed him how much he differed from his cousin. But then again, Merlin always knew he was the brains while Arthur was the brawn.

Somewhere in the heat of everything, the main bandit had managed to get a crossbow. It was only when Merlin could see that it was pointing at him that he started to panic. He froze as he remembered the arrow going into his father's throat and the noise it had made. He registered that someone told him to duck but he couldn't move. He hit the floor as a body collided with his. Merlin was lucky. He got out of that unhurt but the same couldn't be said for the man that saved him. An arrow pointed out of his side. Merlin had to help him. He owed him that.

"Gaius, how is he?" Merlin said, gesturing the door to his old room.

"He will be fine. He is resting for the moment."

"I owe him my life."

"I am sure if you go up and speak to him now it wouldn't matter."

Merlin nodded before walking up the stairs and knocking on the door. He pushed it open. Very little had changed in the room since he had left, save for the fact that it was a lot tidier. He pulled round the chair as the man started to wake.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"I could be better."

"Thank you for saving my life. I am in your debt."

"They have killed too many people as it is. They are bullies trying to get their own way."

"Merlin." He gave his hand out to him.

"Gwaine. Just wondering where I am?"

"We brought you back to Camelot. Gaius is one of the best physicians around. I knew that he would be able to help you." Merlin spotted Gwaine's necklace. "Is that a dragon's scale?"

Gwaine looked down at it and held it. "It was given to my family when my grandfather died. It was for a dragonlord. They gave them out because they said it showed the sacrifice and bravery that they did when they died. It was a shame really. My family moved from Camelot to Caerleon. We didn't want to stay once the king had been replaced with a traitor."

"Which dragonlord did your grandfather serve under?" Merlin was sure that it was his grandfather but he just wanted to make sure.

"Balinor the second of his name. What happened to him was an outrage. One of the many reasons I hate nobles."

Merlin was pretty sure all his aspirations for Gwaine were crushed in that moment.

"But you are one. The knights code …"

"Well the knight's code is wrong." Gwaine turned to him. "How do you know about the knight's code?"

"Your grandfather fought for mine. Balinor II is my grandfather. You could carry that on and fight for me if you wish."

"Wait, you are the King of Camelot."

"My father died not just a week ago. An arrow to his throat. You can see the reason why I froze now."

"Why have you only just told me this information?"

"I wasn't exactly going to go into the tavern and announce my arrival. My father was assassinated. This is the first opportunity I have had to speak with you."

Gwaine looked him up and down. Here was the king, sitting by his bedside. Maybe all nobles weren't the same.

"He spoke fondly of my grandfather though. I don't understand it."

Hunith sat opposite her son. "Maybe because that was how it was told to him."

"I want him to stay but I know he will leave. He was as good as Arthur in the bar fight."

"You need to let him go. You don't know, he could return one day and ask to be one of your knights."

"I would gladly give him a spot among my ranks."

"Then let him go to show that he can trust you."

"He will be back." Merlin announced.

"Merlin, the guy hates nobles and seemingly this place. This is probably one of the last places he will go to." Arthur said.

"He will be back. You will see."

"You have more faith than me."

"When he is, he will be one of my knights. I still owe him my life. I deserve to rebuild his family's history."